Time-switch.



- PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

H. GEISBNHGNER.

A TIME SWETGH. APPLICATION FILED AUG.24;1905.

Inventor; Henry Geisenh'o'neri Witnesses. 454:?

UNITED STATES HENRY GEISENHONER, OF

PATENT or rron.

SGHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TIME-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Applicatipn filed August 24. 1905. Serial No. 275,573.

To all whom, it may concern:

' of New York,

Be it known that I, HENRY GEISENHGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Switches, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to cut-outs for electric circuits, and has for its object the provision of adevice which will operate auto- .matically, is simple in construction, easy to manipulate, and at the same time thoroughly reliable, safe, and efiicient. M

More specifically, my invention relates to time-switches for cutting translating devices in and out of circuit when the same have been in operation for a definite period.

In carrying out my invention I provide a switch in which the movable element consists of a quantity of mercury and which has a bias to open position. Upon closing the switch an electromagnetic device is energized which maintains it me closed position for a definite time, which time is controlled by thepassage of mercury from one 'part the moving element to the other. A retarding means is provided which is made adjustable, so as to vary the time consumed by the mercury in passin When the mercury reaches a definite leve the electromagnetic device is short-circuited, allowing the movable controlling element to assume its normal open position.

My invention further consists in the features of construction and in th'e'arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this application.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the, movable element removed. Fig, 3 is a section on the line of 3 3 of Fig. 2, the removable element being shown in elevation and in the open position. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the movable element shown in closed position. Fig.6 is a sectional view of the movable element .on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a diagram of the circuit connections.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is the base of a switch and may be of any suitable material,

preferably, however, of some insulating mapassing from one chamber to another.

terial, such as wood or hard rubber. Pivotally mounted at 11 is the movable or controllin element of the switch 12. This movab eelement is made hollow, so as to contain a quantity of mercury. In the particular construction shown this element is cast with two communicating chambers 13 and 14 and havin a flanged or circular base 15. The particu ar form, however, of this element and the material thereofis no part of my invention and maybe varied at will. For convenience in castlng and for inserting the mercury the chambers 13 and 14 are left open at one end and afterward provided with plugs 16 and 17. Plug 16 is merely a flat. piece of material for closing the chamlber and Pug 17" however, extends to substantially the middlei. ofthe chamber 13 and is provided with a passage therethrough, 18, having its innerretaining the mercury therein.

end funnel-shaped, as at 19, and a portion 20 at right angles to the passage 18 for communicating with chamber 14.

passage 20, a tween the chambers. The-wall is also cut awayat 23 to form an air-passage between the chambers. The screw 24 is threaded into the boss 25 in the wall of the chamber 14 The wall. 21,

separating the two chambers, is provided 'wlth a passa e 22, which coincides with the Ilowing free communicationbe-f and is provided with a conical tipf26. This screw is opposite the communicating pase sage, and by adjusting the same the passage.

may be restricted'more or less, as desired, to I vary the time consumed by the mercury i e base- 10 is cut away to form a shouldered support 27 for the disk 28 of insulating ma-' terial. This disk is secured to the base and provides a support for the member 12, which is pivoted thereto bymeans of a screw 29?. The member 12 is biased to the open position, which is the position shown in Fi s. 1

and 3, by means of spring 30, coiled'a out the screw 29 and having one end anchored in the member 12 the other in the disk 28. A

ring 31, of magnetic material, is pivotally mounted on the pins 32 and 33, secured to the disk 28, so that one side rests upon core 35 of an electromagnet 36, inserted in the disk, so that its. upper face is flush with the surface of the disk. This magnet is'held in place by means of a supporting-arm 37, se-

cured to the screw 29. The opposite side of the ring 34 is rovided with a conical projection 38, which fits into the depression 39 in member 12 and which comes opposite the projection when the memberis in its closed osition, as shown in Fig. 4. The ring then ocks the member in closed position when the ma et 36 is energized to hold the portion 34 of t e ring down, and consequently the projection 38 up into the depression 39. The disk 28 is provided with contact-clips 40, 41, 42, and 43, and contact-screws 42 and 43, forming terminals for circuits, as hereinafter described, are mounted on but insulated from member 12. 'The member 12 also is provided with contact 44 for bridging the fixed contacts. v

The operation of my device is as follows: With the switch in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the circuit is open and no current therefore passes. When, however, the element 12 is turned through ninety degrees by 'means of a handle 45, the contact 44 bridges the clips 40 and 41 and the screws 42 and ,43 contact with clips .42 and 43, respectively,

as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The current then passes from main 46 through bridgring contact 44, conductor 47, through the ,both chambers .now being vertical.

translating devices, which may be heaters or lamps, thence from conductor 49 to contact 43, through ma net 36 to contact 42, back to the line at 49. his condition remains as long as the magnet 36 i energized. In the mean i2 having been rotated, the

mercury which was in the chamber 13 when it was horizontal flows through the communicating passage into the chamber e mercury will of course rise until the level is the same in both chambers. When the mercury reachesthe contact-screws 42 and 43, which have terminals projecting into the in' terior of the chamber, the magnet 36 be very importantfeature of my invention is that the c rcuit is neveropened at the merdangerous arcs.

- short-circuited, releasing the ring 34, and; hence the member 12, which will be returned to the open position by the spring 30. The circuit is'thus opened thetime during which it is closed being regulated by the screw 24. When the member returns to its normal position, the chambers being, horizontal, the

mercury returns through the passages to the lower chamber 13 It will thus be seen that I have provided a I simple and efficient time'switch which may be regulated and ad ustedso as to automatcall open or close t e circuit of the translatmg evice after apredetermined interval. A

culgiy-contact while the-terminals are alive, an therefore there-can be no arcing, and the mercury does not develop troublesome .and

When the time-limit expires, the mercury closes a shunt of low re 6'5.

sistance around the retaining-magnet, and

thus no arc can occur, as the circuit is broken at the switch-clip.

This device finds a ready application in connection with electric heaters which it is desired shall operate for a definite period and then open circuit. It is, however, not limited in its application to uses of this character, since many other applications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of'the United States, is-

'1. A time-switch for electric-circuits comprising a movable mercury-receptacle adapted to close an electric circuit but'havin a' bias to open position, electrically-control ed means for retaining said receptacle in closed position, and means controlled by the mercury for releasing the same after a predetermined time.

2. A time-switch for electric circuits comprising apivoted spring-returned receptacle containing mercury, means in connection with said receptacle for closing an electric circuit against the tension of the spring, electrically-controlled means for retaining the same in closed position, and means controlled by the flow of mercury from one part to another of said receptacle for deenergizing said device to release said receptacle.

3. A time-switch for electric circuits comprising a pivoted receptacle containing mercury and ada ted to close an electric circuit but having a ias to open position, an electrically-controlled device for retaining said receptacle in closed position, and means con-- trolled by the mercury for deenergizing said device to release said receptacle.

4. A time-switch for electric circuits comprising a pivoted spring-returned receptacle containing mercury and adapted to close an.

electric circuit, an electrically-controlled de-- means forr'etardmg the flow of mercury within said receptacle when the latter is moved to 'close the circuit, and means controlled by the How of mercury for deenergizing said device to release said receptacle.

5. A time-switch for electric circuits comprising-1a pivoted spring-return receptacle provided with communicating compartments and containing mercury, means in connection with said receptacle for closing an electric circuit against the tension of the spring, an electromagnetic device for retaining the ceptacle in close-circuited osition, and means whereby said device is s ort-circiiited when the mercury reaches a predetermined level in one of said compartments.

6. A time-switch for electric circuits comprising a pivoted spring-return receptacle provided with communicating compartments and containing mercury, means in connection with said receptacle or closing an electric vice for retaining the samein closed position, a

circuit against the tension of the spring, an

electromagnetic device for retaining. the

same in closed position, means for retarding I In Witness whereof Ihave hereunto set my the flow of mercuryfrom one compartment hand this 23d day of August; 1905. to another when the receptacle is moved to close the circuit, and means whereby said de- I HENRY GEISENHONER' Vice is denergized to release the receptacle Witnesses: when the mercury reaches a predetermined BENJAMIN B. HULL,

level in said latter compartment. HELEN ORFORD. 

